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Jane Moody: Longmont shootings -- A loss to the community

Posted:
12/23/2012 01:00:00 AM MST

When the news of a shooting near Longmont broke on Tuesday morning, there was a sense of disbelief, frustration and sadness. With time, we learned names, ages and a bit of the story. But I feel compelled to share this part of the story.

Maria and Beatriz Cintora-Silva were two of the most incredible people I have ever known. They lived lives that epitomized goodness, determination and perseverance. Maria and Beatriz moved to the United States in their late teens. They attended Skyline High School and embraced the challenge of learning English, while mastering the rest of the high school curriculum, with relentless drive.

They earned academic recognitions and touched the lives of countless teachers and students before graduating in 2009. Maria and Beatriz left Skyline for college with big dreams and the resolve to attain them. They worked full-time through both high school and college to support themselves, yet never complained or wavered in their plans. When faced with a personal tragedy, they responded with grace, dignity and even greater determination. By this fall, they were well on their way to fulfilling many of their aspirations.

Maria and Beatriz also embodied kindness, compassion and generosity. They were always the ones to befriend the new student in class, to surprise a former teacher with a gift or to cook dinner for neighbors. Maria had a dazzling smile, a strong will, a quick wit and an infectious laugh. Beatriz had sparkly green eyes. She was gentle, thoughtful and sensitive, but also smart, driven and resilient.

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Maria and Beatriz are far more than names in a news article, they were beautiful young women -- fun, kind, honorable and hard-working -- they had limitless potential. When those shots rang out on Tuesday morning, our community, our country and our world suffered a tremendous loss.

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